-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Iran 's centrist president-elect expressed a willingness to open dialogue with the United States , which it has n't had diplomatic relations with in decades , but only if the United States recognizes Iran 's right to a nuclear program .

Hassan Rouhani , who won the presidency over the weekend , said in his first news conference Monday , however , that the Islamic republic has no intention of ending its uranium-enrichment program . The program is a major impetus for the international sanctions against Iran .

Calling relations between the U.S. and Iran an `` old wound '' and `` complicated , '' Rouhani said that before there are talks , the U.S. must first promise to never interfere with Iranian domestic affairs and scrap its `` unilateral '' and `` bullying policies . ''

`` Wisdom tells us both countries , both nations need to think more about the future and try to sit down and find solutions to past issues and rectify things , '' he said . `` The rights of the Iranian nation , including nuclear rights , need to be recognized . ''

`` We are prepared to see tensions alleviated , '' he added , noting that any talks `` should be based on mutual respect and interest and equal footing . ''

In opening his news conference , Rouhani , 65 , said repairing Iran 's economy and engaging in more dialogue -- both at home and abroad -- will be his administration 's top priorities .

Dialogue and the economy are related , as Iran faces sharp international sanctions over its nuclear program , but Rouhani said he foresees a `` fresh opportunity for interaction at the global level . ''

Mutual trust and transparency are key to the international community lifting sanctions , which he called `` brutal , and the people of Iran have done nothing wrong to deserve sanctions . ''

`` Making use of the lever of sanctions , this is not the right time for that . ... Even in the West , they are facing economic problems and dilemmas , and they themselves know the sanctions are to the detriment of the West , '' Rouhani said , adding that Israel was the only country benefiting from them . `` We can make it clear to the whole world that the measures and activities of the Islamic republic are totally within international regulations and mechanisms . ''

Rouhani did not elaborate on how he would make the country 's nuclear program more transparent , but he insisted that the Iranian nuclear program was lawful . He also voiced opposition to international `` meddling '' in domestic affairs .

While Rouhani encouraged Iran to act with `` unity and solidarity '' as it transitions to his promised moderate rule in coming weeks , he said his primary goals will be `` acting in line with salvaging the country 's economy , reviving morality and constructive interaction with the world . ''

He said he could not yet provide time lines but said he would first like to ensure that Iranians had basic commodities before his government pursues `` the tranquility and stability of the economy . ''

This will require embracing `` moderation and justice , and not extremism and egoism , '' he said . `` Electoral promises , I will not forget them , so I beseech the almighty God to give me the opportunity to materialize all those promises . ''

Rouhani said he would convene groups to discuss the best ways to improve the country 's social , cultural and economic affairs . `` As far as practice , that job will be delegated to the people themselves , '' he said .

After his victory was announced over the weekend , Rouhani spoke of reforms without threatening Iran 's supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , or the country 's institutions -- of which he is a product . The former national security council chief promised greater personal freedoms and said he would free political prisoners and jailed journalists .

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already cautioned the world against easing such sanctions in the face of Rouhani 's promises .

`` Regarding the results of the elections in Iran , let us not delude ourselves . The international community must not become caught up in wishes and be tempted to relax the pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program , '' Netanyahu said at a weekly Cabinet meeting .

The prime minister also said Iran 's supreme leader `` disqualified candidates who did not fit his extremist outlook . ''

In his campaigning , Rouhani pledged to improve the economy and unemployment . As a former nuclear negotiator , he said , he would reduce the high tension between Iran and the outside world by addressing the sanctions .

In a message through the semiofficial Fars News Agency , Rouhani said the win `` is the victory of wisdom , moderation , growth and awareness , the victory of commitment and religiosity over extremism and ill tempers . ''

Reaction from the West -- including that of Britain , the United States and United Nations -- revolved around calls for Rouhani to keep his promises to steer Iran in a new direction .

The United States `` remains ready to engage the Iranian government directly in order to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community 's concerns about Iran 's nuclear program , '' the White House said .

While the White House respected the vote , it said the election occurred `` against the backdrop of a lack of transparency , censorship of the media , Internet , and text messages , and an intimidating security environment that limited freedom of expression and assembly . ''

Rouhani succeeds outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , who was term-limited and could not run in the election .

But Rouhani wo n't be Iran 's most powerful man . That distinction belongs to Khamenei , who has been Iran 's supreme leader since 1989 . He 's got plenty of backing , from conservative citizens to loyalist militia groups to , most notably , the Revolutionary Guard .

On his website , the supreme leader said Rouhani is the president of all Iranians and told supporters of various candidates to set aside their differences and unify .

Rouhani has all-round credentials in Iran 's institutions , including as a senior cleric and former commander of Iranian air defenses , and he is an intellectual with three law degrees , including from a university in Scotland .

He has a reputation for shunning extreme positions and bridging differences .

While he has represented Khamenei on Iran 's security council since 1989 , he has avoided being perceived as a pushover and has taken exception with the supreme leader on being too rigid toward the international community , according to an Iranian scholar at Stanford University . He has also accused state-run media of censorship and publishing lies .

Prior to Rouhani 's election , Iran 's Guardian Council , an unelected body made up of six clerics and six lawyers operating under the oversight of the supreme leader , drew up the restricted list of candidates from the 680 who initially registered .

Eight candidates were approved , two of whom subsequently dropped out . The final six contenders did n't include any women . Nor did they include Ahmadinejad 's aide and protege Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei , who was among those excluded by the Guardian Council .

CNN 's Shirzad Bozorgmehr , Michael Martinez , Holly Yan , Michael Schwartz , Laura Smith-Spark , Reza Sayah , Azadeh Ansari and Sara Mazloumsaki contributed to this report .

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NEW : U.S. must respect Iran 's nuclear rights before talks can begin , Hassan Rouhani says

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The West knows sanctions do n't work , he says ; they benefit only Israel

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Iran 's president-elect : Nuclear program lawful , but more transparency needed

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Government will pursue policies of `` moderation and justice , and not extremism and egoism ''